Nollywood - The Price of fame

I like to watch Nigerian movies. I like to consider myself an expert now....Having been on hiatus from Nollywood for a while, i eased back in with a few that i will be reviewing in the next few posts.

The Price of Fame stars Ini Edo, Gloria Anozie, Uche Jombo and Michael Ezoronye (sp). Story revolves around a star actress Stephanie James (Ini) dealing with rape issues from her past, a child given up and the emotional loss of her parents. Gloria Anoze plays her manager that has to help mop up a scandal that breaks. Uche Jombo plays Uju a no nonsense mother dealing with health issues. Her child is adopted and is actually Ini Edo's daughter she gave up. Michael plays the role of Jude, Stephanie's childhood friend dealing with paternity issues on his own.

This is a pretty decent movie by our standards. Ini Edo overacts as usual but not as bably as in other movies. The script is well developed and i didnt even cringe at all. The issue of rape and the perception of the victim was addressed without it being preachy and i really felt Stephanie's pain. Jude was wonderfully played by Michael and the fact that he stood by her through everything made my heart warm.

I would give this a 7 out of 10. Worth seeing and one of our better efforts.

Olivia Goldsmith - The Switch

A piece of fiction that was such an easy read. This book i absolutely loved. Its an old title but i found this book on sale with a few others so i couldnt help myself.

Where do i begin? This book is hilarious, heartbreaking and serious all at the same time. A suburban housewife who thinks she has it all is excited that her 2 kids are off to college leaving her and her husband alone for the first time in many years. They have everything - house in the suburbs, husband works at her father's BMW dealership so they have twin BMWs in the 2 car garage. She doesnt work but teaches classical piano since she went to Julliard. She is close to her mom and dad. Her brother is a nutcase and his ex wife is an even bigger nut.

Her plans include romantic dinners, fabulous getaways to Mexico, sexy lingerie and rekindling sparks. Until, she realizes her husband is not interested in any of those things. Not with her anyway. He has a mistress that lives in a Condo across the way. A confrontation leaves both stunned. The mistress is a carbon copy of wife. 20 years younger. Wife is what the mistress will look like in 20 years. Capisce?

After a lot of crying and smashing of dishes and even driving a BMW into the pool, wife realises that she wants to be the mistress. To get the roses and the hot sex. Mistress just wants to be a wife and plan the perfect thanksgiving dinner. Therein: The Switch. A nip and a tuck and a strict diet for wife. Mistress darkens her blonde hair and piles on a few pounds and voila.

Hilarious consequences. But underneath all this, as a woman i felt for both parties. When i wasnt smiling and giggling, i was saddened at the potential prospects of being an old married woman. I breezed through this book in 3 days. 9 out of 10

Casino Royale!

Okay. As a huge fan of James Bond and all things Bond related, i was distressed at the choice of Daniel Craig to be my James. I just didnt get it. He is blond and has blue eyes. He is unknown to me and during shooting of this movie, i read he lost teeth and got hurt. James Bond does not get hurt. So i was prepared to hate this movie and Daniel Craig some more.

Daniel Craig is intense. It took me almost 30 minutes while watching the movie to let go of images of Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton and Sean Connery and appreciate Daniel. He acted the hell out of this movie. Since this is a prequel, Bond is very crass, rough around the edges and hasnt achieved that suave debonair thing that is soooo James Bond. I am still a bit weirded out by the blond thing (there was a scene with a close up of his eyes and the eyelashes and eyebrows just got to me) but i will take back all the words of disdain i threw at Craig. Logically, i know that subsequent movies will have James evolving into the character we now love so i shall give Craig a break.

The plot of this movie is plausible. The bad guy Le Chiffre is one very weird fellow (as Bond villians shoud be), the Bond girls are alright and the theme song doesnt have the words "Casino Royale" in it (By the way, i believe there are only 3 Bond theme songs that dont incorporate the title of the movie in some way).

The gadgets - well seeing as James Bond had just gotten double 0 status, he didnt have access to any of the fun stuff. I mean, he started out driving a Ford. But the movie goes on to give background as to the reason why Bond has a thing for Aston Martins. The pre-requisite product placements (done tastefully of course) were there for Sony Ericcson phones, Sony Vaio, Jaguar etc.

The stunts in this movie are pretty brutal. Breath taking but not outlandish like Bond movies of old. Stunts are more along the lines of Mission Impossible type movies. And another thing: In this movie, James Bond bleeds and hurts. I mean he is roughed up good and it shows. There are some breathtakingly beautiful scenes shot in Europe - so amazing.

All in all, i have to watch this movie again. Just because i feel ready to drop all my pre-conceived notions and appreciate this movie for what it is. I would give this a 7 out of 10. Its a good flick. Its just really tough competing with Bonds of old.

Al Dente!

Al Dente is an italian restaurant on the top floor of City Mall in Onikan.

I stumbled upon this restaurant 2 weekends ago when i went to see a movie with some friends. After the movie we wanted to have lunch and the wooden doors that serve as the entrance to this restaurant looked so inviting. So in we went.

The ambience of this little restaurant is so lovely. Some armchairs for some tables and some of the seats have a view of the road. Okay...not so great with all the traffic and all but at night, its really nice. The artwork decorating the walls are authentic enough. Not modern scenes of Italy but depictions of old Rome. Busts of Julius Ceasar lookalikes, some reproductions of Michelangelo work. Really lovely.

The menu is basic but has variety. Sandwiches, salads, appetizers. Appetizers include classics like Buschetta and Fried Calamari. We had the calamari to start which was served with a garlic sauce. My friend had the fillet steak with a peppercorn sauce served with vegetables and french fries. Not so italian there. I opted for the Fettuccini Alfedo wich had tons of mushrooms and chicken. Not bad. The pasta selection is limited though but adequate. We didnt opt for dessert or wine but both selections seem adequate.

The service is really good too. We were shown to our table and drinks arrived in less than 5 minutes. The food arrived very quickly and the tab came to about N5,000 including service charge.

I would definitely go there again and give this cute restaurant an 8 out of 10.

David Baldacci - The Camel Club

This is a thriller not unlike what David Baldacci is known for. I am a huge fan of his and this book doesnt disappoint.

The camel club is actually a conspiracy club of sorts made up of misfits that spend most of their day firmly planted in front of the White House with placards and signs. One of the misfits however - Oliver Stone is a tormented man with deep secrets. The plot revolves around Islam, terrorists, the president, his chief security advisor and many government agencies. We must not forget Secret Service agent Alex Ford.

The book is slow to begin with but when it gets going, it really gets going. The action scenes are intense without being over the top. The plot is plausible especially in the United States of today where fear and the fallout of 9/11 has meant invasion of privacy and the formation of agencies like the Department of Homeland Security whose roles are blurred at best.

The only major complaint i have about the book is its slight preachiness in dealing with issues like Islam, religious tolerance, extremists etc. I understand what Baldacci was trying to do. He was trying to provide insight into the many misconceptions about Islam especially for the American people and giving reasons for the intense dislike for America but his execution comes through like sermons which doesnt work too well for me.

I would give this a 7 out of 10. Not a bad effort from Baldacci.

Welcome

This blog is dedicated to reviewing media that i experience. I will air my opinions on books, movies, magazines, music, restaurants, shows etc. Just my views and me having a blast. So enjoy!

The Amazing Grace

I finally got round to seeing this movie over the weekend.

This is the first Nigerian movies to be shot on 35mm and is directed by Jeta Amata. Its stars Fred Amata, Joke Jacobs and there is a cameo by Zack Amata.

I have to say that as i watched this movie, i was filled with pride. Pride in the beauty of Cross River State, pride in the beauty of the language and of our custome depicted in the movie.

I have to say though, that the movie was just okay for me. It isnt as interesting or engrossing as some of the better Nollywood efforts but obviously, the quality is a lot better. Joke Jacobs in the narrative is great as always. She has excellent command of the english language so listening to her is always a pleasure.

The premise of the story - about John Newton, the slave trader that is touched by a particular cargo of slaves and based on the folk song sung by these people, goes onto to pen Amazing Grace to that same music is believable but not perfectly executed. I didnt really feel Nick Moran's performance so much. I didnt feel the truth of his conversion. Fred Amata's performance was just okay. I have no knowledge of the Efik language but i got the feeling that his accent was off and his words forced. The best acting has to go to the beautiful young woman that played Ansa. I felt her bewilderment at their plight and at John Newton.

This movie is beautifully shot and takes advantage of the scenery of Cross River State. I know that Donald Duke must be so proud. The music in this movie is amazing. This is a soundtrack i would love to own. Sammie Okposo is to be commended in this regard.

I would give this movie a 6 out of 10. Not the most engaging plot but the beauty of the scenes, the fact that the movie stayed true to Nigerian customs and the authenticity with majority of the movie in Efik are a major plus here.